GARBAGE COLLECTION - Revision history

Randylyon at 20:40, 11 March 2026

2026-03-11T20:40:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:40, 11 March 2026
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	The City of Dubuque ended the curbside collection of glass in 2011. Since then collection bins were positioned throughout the county and within the city of Dubuque. Ripple Glass hauled away the glass for reprocessing into beer bottles at their plant in Overland Park, Kansas.		The City of Dubuque ended the curbside collection of glass in 2011. Since then collection bins were positioned throughout the county and within the city of Dubuque. Ripple Glass hauled away the glass for reprocessing into beer bottles at their plant in Overland Park, Kansas.

	Diversion from industrial, construction, and commercial sites in 2025 was not tracked by the landfill. Conservation efforts were to left to the companies and private haulers. According to Dittmer officials, the large companies did a good job of waste disposal. \(61)		Diversion from industrial, construction, and commercial sites in 2025 was not tracked by the landfill. Conservation efforts were to left to the companies and private haulers. According to Dittmer officials, the large companies did a good job of waste disposal. (61)

			Rerouting a stream was opposed by the Dubuque County Zoning Commission in March 2026. Despite the opposition, the Dubuque landfill commission expressed its intention to move ahead to reroute a stream through landfill property and seek full annexation into the City of Dubuque. The stream runs through an expansion area. The DMASWA goal was to permit this area to be used to bury trash after the current dumping cell reaches capacity in fifteen years. The landfill owned 238 acres of undeveloped property that was planned for a new dumping cell. The area was thought to be able the trash needs of Dubuque for 170 years. (62)


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	61. Ibid.		61. Ibid.

			62. Gray, Chris, "Landfill Board Looking for City to Annex Property," Telegraph Herald, March 11, 2026, p 1A

Randylyon at 02:55, 26 March 2025

2025-03-26T02:55:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:55, 26 March 2025
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	In 2025 only an estimated 10% of the municipal professionally hauled solid waste came from residential use. However, this trash accounted for 52% of the traffic entering thew dump. To separate the commercial from the residential customers. the landfill authority devised a plan to construct a one-stop shop at the entrance to the dump off Airborne Road near the methane plant. Residential customers would then not need to travel into the dump. This customer convenience center would allow private citizens a place to leave trash recyclables, yard waste, appliances, and hazardous materials. An application for a federal grant of $4 million to lower the construction cost created a series of problems to the point that serious consideration was given to ignoring it. Forgoing the grant, which actually conditions which would add costs, would allow the center to be opened in 2027.		In 2025 only an estimated 10% of the municipal professionally hauled solid waste came from residential use. However, this trash accounted for 52% of the traffic entering thew dump. To separate the commercial from the residential customers. the landfill authority devised a plan to construct a one-stop shop at the entrance to the dump off Airborne Road near the methane plant. Residential customers would then not need to travel into the dump. This customer convenience center would allow private citizens a place to leave trash recyclables, yard waste, appliances, and hazardous materials. An application for a federal grant of $4 million to lower the construction cost created a series of problems to the point that serious consideration was given to ignoring it. Forgoing the grant, which actually conditions which would add costs, would allow the center to be opened in 2027.

	Local communities, waste haulers, business users, recycling companies and the landfill authority all contributed to diverting waste. While losing money on the collection of many types of trash, the diversion of natural gas bottled as methane by the Black Hills gas recovery plant has been successful. The plant ~~captures~~ an estimated 125,000 BTUs of natural gas annually creating $40,000 in profit to the landfill. Recycled tires ~~yields~~ some profit while glass and compost ~~break~~ even economically. In fiscal 2024 the city was able to divert 2,700 tons of recyclable trash to Dittmer Recycling. In 2022 the company paid the city $108,000 for the materials it received. When the price of recyclables declined, the city had to pay Dittmer $80,000.		Local communities, waste haulers, business users, recycling companies and the landfill authority all contributed to diverting waste. While losing money on the collection of many types of trash, the diversion of natural gas bottled as methane by the Black Hills gas recovery plant has been successful. The plant captured an estimated 125,000 BTUs of natural gas annually creating $40,000 in profit to the landfill. Recycled tires yielded some profit while glass and compost broke even economically. In fiscal 2024 the city was able to divert 2,700 tons of recyclable trash to Dittmer Recycling. In 2022 the company paid the city $108,000 for the materials it received. When the price of recyclables declined, the city had to pay Dittmer $80,000.

	The City of Dubuque ended the curbside collection of glass in 2011. Since then collection bins were positioned throughout the county and within the city of Dubuque. Ripple Glass hauled away the glass for reprocessing into beer bottles at their plant in Overland Park, Kansas.		The City of Dubuque ended the curbside collection of glass in 2011. Since then collection bins were positioned throughout the county and within the city of Dubuque. Ripple Glass hauled away the glass for reprocessing into beer bottles at their plant in Overland Park, Kansas.

Randylyon at 02:54, 26 March 2025

2025-03-26T02:54:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:54, 26 March 2025
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	In 2025 "Cell Nine" was the site for active dumping on the landfill. It was located on the western edge of the dump and toward the middle of the 600-acre landfill which still had hundreds of acres of the 600 acres purchased by the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency. Since it was opened in 1976, the landfill had used eight cells. In 2025 Cell Nine had approximately twelve more years of use. The dump accepted approximately 172,000 tons of trash annually--an increase from the 133,000 tons in 2017. Dubuque's growth was due in part to other counties closing their landfills. In 2025 an estimated 25% of the waste accepted came from southwest Wisconsin. Delaware County, Iowa also uses the Dubuque site. At the same time, Dubuque was able to divert about 5,400 tons with material gong to recycling and compost annually. Diversion programs had to be subsidized by the revenue the landfill received. Only the most valuable recovered material is worth less than the labor needed to separate it from the regular waste. (60)		In 2025 "Cell Nine" was the site for active dumping on the landfill. It was located on the western edge of the dump and toward the middle of the 600-acre landfill which still had hundreds of acres of the 600 acres purchased by the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency. Since it was opened in 1976, the landfill had used eight cells. In 2025 Cell Nine had approximately twelve more years of use. The dump accepted approximately 172,000 tons of trash annually--an increase from the 133,000 tons in 2017. Dubuque's growth was due in part to other counties closing their landfills. In 2025 an estimated 25% of the waste accepted came from southwest Wisconsin. Delaware County, Iowa also uses the Dubuque site. At the same time, Dubuque was able to divert about 5,400 tons with material gong to recycling and compost annually. Diversion programs had to be subsidized by the revenue the landfill received. Only the most valuable recovered material is worth less than the labor needed to separate it from the regular waste. (60)

			In 2025 only an estimated 10% of the municipal professionally hauled solid waste came from residential use. However, this trash accounted for 52% of the traffic entering thew dump. To separate the commercial from the residential customers. the landfill authority devised a plan to construct a one-stop shop at the entrance to the dump off Airborne Road near the methane plant. Residential customers would then not need to travel into the dump. This customer convenience center would allow private citizens a place to leave trash recyclables, yard waste, appliances, and hazardous materials. An application for a federal grant of $4 million to lower the construction cost created a series of problems to the point that serious consideration was given to ignoring it. Forgoing the grant, which actually conditions which would add costs, would allow the center to be opened in 2027.

			Local communities, waste haulers, business users, recycling companies and the landfill authority all contributed to diverting waste. While losing money on the collection of many types of trash, the diversion of natural gas bottled as methane by the Black Hills gas recovery plant has been successful. The plant captures an estimated 125,000 BTUs of natural gas annually creating $40,000 in profit to the landfill. Recycled tires yields some profit while glass and compost break even economically. In fiscal 2024 the city was able to divert 2,700 tons of recyclable trash to Dittmer Recycling. In 2022 the company paid the city $108,000 for the materials it received. When the price of recyclables declined, the city had to pay Dittmer $80,000.

			The City of Dubuque ended the curbside collection of glass in 2011. Since then collection bins were positioned throughout the county and within the city of Dubuque. Ripple Glass hauled away the glass for reprocessing into beer bottles at their plant in Overland Park, Kansas.

			Diversion from industrial, construction, and commercial sites in 2025 was not tracked by the landfill. Conservation efforts were to left to the companies and private haulers. According to Dittmer officials, the large companies did a good job of waste disposal. \(61)


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	60. Gray, Chris, "Trash and Treasure," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 23, 2025, p. 1		60. Gray, Chris, "Trash and Treasure," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 23, 2025, p. 1

			61. Ibid.

Randylyon at 20:37, 25 March 2025

2025-03-25T20:37:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:37, 25 March 2025
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	In 2025 "Cell Nine" was the site for active dumping on the landfill. It was located on the western edge of the dump and toward the middle of the 600-acre landfill which still had hundreds of acres of the 600 acres purchased by the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency. Since it was opened in 1976, the landfill had used eight cells. In 2025 Cell Nine had approximately twelve more years of use. The dump accepted approximately 172,000 tons of trash annually--an increase from the 133,000 tons in 2017. Dubuque's growth was due in part to other counties closing their landfills. In 2025 an estimated 25% of the waste accepted came from southwest Wisconsin. Delaware County, Iowa also uses the Dubuque site. At the same time, Dubuque was able to divert about 5,400 tons with material gong to recycling and compost annually. Diversion programs had to be subsidized by the revenue the landfill received. Only the most valuable recovered material is worth less than the labor needed to separate it from the regular waste. (60)		In 2025 "Cell Nine" was the site for active dumping on the landfill. It was located on the western edge of the dump and toward the middle of the 600-acre landfill which still had hundreds of acres of the 600 acres purchased by the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency. Since it was opened in 1976, the landfill had used eight cells. In 2025 Cell Nine had approximately twelve more years of use. The dump accepted approximately 172,000 tons of trash annually--an increase from the 133,000 tons in 2017. Dubuque's growth was due in part to other counties closing their landfills. In 2025 an estimated 25% of the waste accepted came from southwest Wisconsin. Delaware County, Iowa also uses the Dubuque site. At the same time, Dubuque was able to divert about 5,400 tons with material gong to recycling and compost annually. Diversion programs had to be subsidized by the revenue the landfill received. Only the most valuable recovered material is worth less than the labor needed to separate it from the regular waste. (60)



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Randylyon at 20:31, 25 March 2025

2025-03-25T20:31:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:31, 25 March 2025
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	The Dubuque landfill hired an off-site provider with equipment to process the raw material into rows for composting. These rows also had to be routinely turned. The Dubuque solid waste agency did not have a grinder for the materials. Landfill officials believed the if the current food scraps program could not be continued, the composting efforts to divert organic materials could continue thorough yard waste collections. (59)		The Dubuque landfill hired an off-site provider with equipment to process the raw material into rows for composting. These rows also had to be routinely turned. The Dubuque solid waste agency did not have a grinder for the materials. Landfill officials believed the if the current food scraps program could not be continued, the composting efforts to divert organic materials could continue thorough yard waste collections. (59)

			In 2025 "Cell Nine" was the site for active dumping on the landfill. It was located on the western edge of the dump and toward the middle of the 600-acre landfill which still had hundreds of acres of the 600 acres purchased by the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency. Since it was opened in 1976, the landfill had used eight cells. In 2025 Cell Nine had approximately twelve more years of use. The dump accepted approximately 172,000 tons of trash annually--an increase from the 133,000 tons in 2017. Dubuque's growth was due in part to other counties closing their landfills. In 2025 an estimated 25% of the waste accepted came from southwest Wisconsin. Delaware County, Iowa also uses the Dubuque site. At the same time, Dubuque was able to divert about 5,400 tons with material gong to recycling and compost annually. Diversion programs had to be subsidized by the revenue the landfill received. Only the most valuable recovered material is worth less than the labor needed to separate it from the regular waste. (60)

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	59. Fisher, Benjamin, "City Food Scrap Program in Doubt," ''Telegraph Herald'', September 1, 2023, p. 1A		59. Fisher, Benjamin, "City Food Scrap Program in Doubt," ''Telegraph Herald'', September 1, 2023, p. 1A

			60. Gray, Chris, "Trash and Treasure," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 23, 2025, p. 1

Randylyon at 15:49, 29 October 2024

2024-10-29T15:49:50Z

Show changes

Randylyon at 19:38, 28 October 2024

2024-10-28T19:38:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:38, 28 October 2024
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	On July 6, 2021 the announcement was made that the Dubuque County Metropolitan Solid Waste Agency would soon be offering compost to area residents--free for small loads. Compost created at the landfill would be distributed to satellite bunker locations around the county. The material could then be collected by residents for use in their gardens or flower beds. The compost collection sites were planned to be located at the landfill outside the landfill gate and at the public works building. A third location had yet to be chosen. If the idea proved popular, addition sites could be established. The compost created at the landfill was tested, but needed certification at a laboratory in Indiana before the sites would be operational. (54)		On July 6, 2021 the announcement was made that the Dubuque County Metropolitan Solid Waste Agency would soon be offering compost to area residents--free for small loads. Compost created at the landfill would be distributed to satellite bunker locations around the county. The material could then be collected by residents for use in their gardens or flower beds. The compost collection sites were planned to be located at the landfill outside the landfill gate and at the public works building. A third location had yet to be chosen. If the idea proved popular, addition sites could be established. The compost created at the landfill was tested, but needed certification at a laboratory in Indiana before the sites would be operational. (54)

	On October 19, 2021 the announcement was made that the newly finished $10 million gas control and collection system and gas collection system at the landfill was beginning operation. The facility ~~wold~~ capture ~~methane~~ at the landfill and convert it to usable natural gas capable of heating more than 2,700 homes annually. Previously the gas produced by the decomposition of organic waste in the landfill was collected in wells and burned to prevent it from escaping into the atmosphere. The new facility would process and clean the gas so that it could enter [[BLACK HILLS ENERGY CORP.]] pipelines and be distributed as renewable natural gas. The project was expected to have positive effects on the local environment and a new renewable source of energy. Agreements signed for the project stated that 3.5% of all the gas revenues earned through the gas processing facility would go to the local sold waste agency. This was estimated to be $80,000. Dubuque Gas Producers would also pay an annual $10,000 license fee to use the property.		[[Image:gasplant.JPG\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]On October 19, 2021 the announcement was made that the newly finished $10 million gas control and collection system and gas collection system at the landfill was beginning operation. The facility would capture [[METHANE]] at the landfill and convert it to usable natural gas capable of heating more than 2,700 homes annually. Previously the gas produced by the decomposition of organic waste in the landfill was collected in wells and burned to prevent it from escaping into the atmosphere. The new facility would process and clean the gas so that it could enter [[BLACK HILLS ENERGY CORP.]] pipelines and be distributed as renewable natural gas. The project was expected to have positive effects on the local environment and a new renewable source of energy. Agreements signed for the project stated that 3.5% of all the gas revenues earned through the gas processing facility would go to the local sold waste agency. This was estimated to be $80,000. Dubuque Gas Producers would also pay an annual $10,000 license fee to use the property.

	The new facility was the second in Dubuque to convert methane gas into energy. The Dubuque Water and Resource Recovery Center captured and converted its methane gas into electricity. Dubuque was one of the first places in the United States that had a closed loop system on its wastewater and on its solid waste systems, according to David Lyons, sustainable innovation consultant for the [[GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION]]. (55)		The new facility was the second in Dubuque to convert methane gas into energy. The Dubuque Water and Resource Recovery Center captured and converted its methane gas into electricity. Dubuque was one of the first places in the United States that had a closed loop system on its wastewater and on its solid waste systems, according to David Lyons, sustainable innovation consultant for the [[GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION]]. (55)

Randylyon at 19:01, 3 September 2023

2023-09-03T19:01:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:01, 3 September 2023
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	In 2022 the city council had approved spending an estimated $1 million to purchase 15,000 carts and two fully-automated trash collection trucks. The project was funded through the city's allocation of funds generated by the [[DUBUQUE RACING ASSOCIATION]]. The two fully-automated trucks scheduled for arrival in the fall of 2023 would replace two of the three semi-automatic side-loader vehicles. For residents who would be unable to move the new containers, the Resource Management Supervisor Jacob Jensen said that the city was in the process of developing a service to assist customers. (57)		In 2022 the city council had approved spending an estimated $1 million to purchase 15,000 carts and two fully-automated trash collection trucks. The project was funded through the city's allocation of funds generated by the [[DUBUQUE RACING ASSOCIATION]]. The two fully-automated trucks scheduled for arrival in the fall of 2023 would replace two of the three semi-automatic side-loader vehicles. For residents who would be unable to move the new containers, the Resource Management Supervisor Jacob Jensen said that the city was in the process of developing a service to assist customers. (57)

			A landfill diversion project in 2023 was jeopardized by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Used by approximately 500 Dubuque customers, the program aimed at reducing food scraps and related carbon emissions in the landfill According to landfill staff, the space used for food scrap composting might not meet newly reinterpreted standards for the composting process. Previous interpretation had allowed the city to take up to two tons of food scraps per week and then use any amount of yard waste to combine with it. When the rules were reviewed only two tons of food scraps and yard waste could be combined each week. The composting required that the process by conducted on an impermeable surface (which could be clay)so that pollution could not seep into the soil. Engineers were also assessing the landfill's process of managing organic materials since 17.5% of the organic materials in a 2002 sample were food waste. Food waste as it breaks down releases methane--a green house gas more harmful than carbon dioxide.

			The Dubuque landfill hired an off-site provider with equipment to process the raw material into rows for composting. These rows also had to be routinely turned. The Dubuque solid waste agency did not have a grinder for the materials. Landfill officials believed the if the current food scraps program could not be continued, the composting efforts to divert organic materials could continue thorough yard waste collections. (58)


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	57. Kruse, John "City Readies Automated Trash Collection System," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 22, 2023, p. 1A		57. Kruse, John "City Readies Automated Trash Collection System," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 22, 2023, p. 1A

			58. Fisher, Benjamin, "City Food Scrap Program in Doubt," ''Telegraph Herald'', September 1, 2023, p. 1A

Randylyon at 18:32, 2 April 2023

2023-04-02T18:32:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:32, 2 April 2023
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	Paper products made up 19.9% of the wasted material. Compostable paper made of 3.5%. Much of the paper could be recycled. (56)		Paper products made up 19.9% of the wasted material. Compostable paper made of 3.5%. Much of the paper could be recycled. (56)

	Beginning April 3, 2023 the Public Works Department began delivering 8,000 tipper trash carts. Daily delivery of 400 of the 35-gallon carts was part of the automated trash collection system. The original proposal to move to automated trash collection was to improve employee safety, according to city staff~~. Residents could request larger bins ranging from 48 to 96 gallons~~.		Beginning April 3, 2023 the Public Works Department began delivering 8,000 tipper trash carts. Daily delivery of 400 of the 35-gallon carts was part of the automated trash collection system. Residents could request larger bins ranging from 48 to 96 gallons. The original proposal to move to automated trash collection was to improve employee safety, according to city staff.

	In 2022 the city council had approved spending an estimated $1 million to purchase 15,000 carts and two fully-automated trash collection trucks. The project was funded through the city's allocation of funds generated by the [[DUBUQUE RACING ASSOCIATION]]. The two fully-automated trucks scheduled for arrival in the fall of 2023 would replace two of the three semi-automatic side-loader vehicles. For residents who would be unable to move the new containers, the Resource Management Supervisor Jacob Jensen said that the city was in the process of developing a service to assist customers.		In 2022 the city council had approved spending an estimated $1 million to purchase 15,000 carts and two fully-automated trash collection trucks. The project was funded through the city's allocation of funds generated by the [[DUBUQUE RACING ASSOCIATION]]. The two fully-automated trucks scheduled for arrival in the fall of 2023 would replace two of the three semi-automatic side-loader vehicles. For residents who would be unable to move the new containers, the Resource Management Supervisor Jacob Jensen said that the city was in the process of developing a service to assist customers. (57)


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	56. Fisher, Benjamin,"Statewide Study Shows Dubuque Landfill Contents," ''Telegraph Herald'', November 15, 2022, p. 1A		56. Fisher, Benjamin,"Statewide Study Shows Dubuque Landfill Contents," ''Telegraph Herald'', November 15, 2022, p. 1A

			57. Kruse, John "City Readies Automated Trash Collection System," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 22, 2023, p. 1A

Randylyon at 18:28, 2 April 2023

2023-04-02T18:28:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:28, 2 April 2023
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	In 2002 the city restricted each residence to one bag or can. A "pay-as-you-throw" refuse program was begun to encourage recycling. The rate for residential refuse collection fell from $8.20 per month to $7.20. The benefits lasted less than a year. By July, 2003 due to increased gas prices and tipping fees, the cost had risen to $7.60. Despite this, Dubuque ranked the lowest in cost among Iowa's largest cities with Ames in the lead at $20.50 and no recycling program. (41)		In 2002 the city restricted each residence to one bag or can. A "pay-as-you-throw" refuse program was begun to encourage recycling. The rate for residential refuse collection fell from $8.20 per month to $7.20. The benefits lasted less than a year. By July, 2003 due to increased gas prices and tipping fees, the cost had risen to $7.60. Despite this, Dubuque ranked the lowest in cost among Iowa's largest cities with Ames in the lead at $20.50 and no recycling program. (41)

	The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency in 2009 hired three consultants who specialized in waste and environmental management to find ways of diverting volume from the landfill. Estimates indicated that Dubuque residents recycled about two-thirds of recyclable products. The one-third being buried was to be analyzed, how it could be collected, and what might be the potential uses of the material. A study of a community in Hawaii indicated that items with a ~~potential~~ value of $14 million and 600 jobs were being buried. (42)		The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency in 2009 hired three consultants who specialized in waste and environmental management to find ways of diverting volume from the landfill. Estimates indicated that Dubuque residents recycled about two-thirds of recyclable products. The one-third being buried was to be analyzed, how it could be collected, and what might be the potential uses of the material. A study of a community in Hawaii indicated that items with a po tential value of $14 million and 600 jobs were being buried. (42)

	Waste management definitions were also discussed including:		Waste management definitions were also discussed including:
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	On October 19, 2021 the announcement was made that the newly finished $10 million gas control and collection system and gas collection system at the landfill was beginning operation. The facility wold capture methane at the landfill and convert it to usable natural gas capable of heating more than 2,700 homes annually. Previously the gas produced by the decomposition of organic waste in the landfill was collected in wells and burned to prevent it from escaping into the atmosphere. The new facility would process and clean the gas so that it could enter [[BLACK HILLS ENERGY CORP.]] pipelines and be distributed as renewable natural gas. The project was expected to have positive effects on the local environment and a new renewable source of energy. Agreements signed for the project stated that 3.5% of all the gas revenues earned through the gas processing facility would go to the local sold waste agency. This was estimated to be $80,000. Dubuque Gas Producers would also pay an annual $10,000 license fee to use the property.		On October 19, 2021 the announcement was made that the newly finished $10 million gas control and collection system and gas collection system at the landfill was beginning operation. The facility wold capture methane at the landfill and convert it to usable natural gas capable of heating more than 2,700 homes annually. Previously the gas produced by the decomposition of organic waste in the landfill was collected in wells and burned to prevent it from escaping into the atmosphere. The new facility would process and clean the gas so that it could enter [[BLACK HILLS ENERGY CORP.]] pipelines and be distributed as renewable natural gas. The project was expected to have positive effects on the local environment and a new renewable source of energy. Agreements signed for the project stated that 3.5% of all the gas revenues earned through the gas processing facility would go to the local sold waste agency. This was estimated to be $80,000. Dubuque Gas Producers would also pay an annual $10,000 license fee to use the property.

	The new facility was the second in Dubuque to convert methane gas into energy. The Dubuque Water and ~~Resoource~~ Recovery Center captured and converted its methane gas into electricity. Dubuque was one of the first places in the United States that had a closed loop system on its wastewater and on its solid waste systems, according to David Lyons, sustainable innovation consultant for the [[GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION]]. (55)		The new facility was the second in Dubuque to convert methane gas into energy. The Dubuque Water and Resource Recovery Center captured and converted its methane gas into electricity. Dubuque was one of the first places in the United States that had a closed loop system on its wastewater and on its solid waste systems, according to David Lyons, sustainable innovation consultant for the [[GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION]]. (55)

	In November, 2022 the results of a statewide study indicated the contents of the Dubuque landfill. In the first report in five years, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources hired a firm to complete the 2022 Statewide Materials Characterization Study. Samples were made of two types of contributors to the Dubuque landfill: residential and institutional/commercial/industrial. In all, the report was based on 15 residential loads and 35 commercial due to the percentage of material usually collected. The study found that most of the material brought to the landfill was organics. This made of 23.7% of the garbage in the sample period. That was higher by 3.7% the last time a study of this type of made. Organics made of 21.8% of the institutional/commercial/industrial waste samples and 28.1% of the residential samples. Among the organics the largest contributor was loose food waste which made up 17.6% of the total trash sample. The next largest organic was unopened food waste which made up 4% of the total trash sample. This type of trash, as it breaks down, releases methane--a greenish gas more harmful than carbon dioxide.		In November, 2022 the results of a statewide study indicated the contents of the Dubuque landfill. In the first report in five years, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources hired a firm to complete the 2022 Statewide Materials Characterization Study. Samples were made of two types of contributors to the Dubuque landfill: residential and institutional/commercial/industrial. In all, the report was based on 15 residential loads and 35 commercial due to the percentage of material usually collected. The study found that most of the material brought to the landfill was organics. This made of 23.7% of the garbage in the sample period. That was higher by 3.7% the last time a study of this type of made. Organics made of 21.8% of the institutional/commercial/industrial waste samples and 28.1% of the residential samples. Among the organics the largest contributor was loose food waste which made up 17.6% of the total trash sample. The next largest organic was unopened food waste which made up 4% of the total trash sample. This type of trash, as it breaks down, releases methane--a greenish gas more harmful than carbon dioxide.
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	Paper products made up 19.9% of the wasted material. Compostable paper made of 3.5%. Much of the paper could be recycled. (56)		Paper products made up 19.9% of the wasted material. Compostable paper made of 3.5%. Much of the paper could be recycled. (56)

			Beginning April 3, 2023 the Public Works Department began delivering 8,000 tipper trash carts. Daily delivery of 400 of the 35-gallon carts was part of the automated trash collection system. The original proposal to move to automated trash collection was to improve employee safety, according to city staff. Residents could request larger bins ranging from 48 to 96 gallons.

			In 2022 the city council had approved spending an estimated $1 million to purchase 15,000 carts and two fully-automated trash collection trucks. The project was funded through the city's allocation of funds generated by the [[DUBUQUE RACING ASSOCIATION]]. The two fully-automated trucks scheduled for arrival in the fall of 2023 would replace two of the three semi-automatic side-loader vehicles. For residents who would be unable to move the new containers, the Resource Management Supervisor Jacob Jensen said that the city was in the process of developing a service to assist customers.